USC
University of Southern California
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Undergraduate Degrees

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The B.F.A. is a four-year studio intensive program in preparation for a career in the fine arts, and/or related fields or pursuit of a master of fine arts degree. With few required courses or electives and a wide variety of media from which to choose, the B.F.A. provides ample opportunity to explore and develop a strong personal vision in art.

Introductory courses focus on technique and conceptual context while building a solid grounding in art history and critical theory. Advanced students work on self-generated independent projects under the guidance and mentoring of individual faculty members. Emphasis in the last year is on the production of a professional quality portfolio of work.

Curriculum Requirements

The B.F.A. requires a total of 128 units, including 96 units of fine art requirements.

Required CoursesUnits
FA 101aDrawing 4
FA 102Design Fundamentals4
FA 106Sculpture I4
FA 150Visual Culture and Literacy4
FA 350Art Theory and Criticism4
FA 450xSenior Seminar4

One course from the following:
AHIS 100-2994

One course from the following:
AHIS 370Modern Art III: 1940 to the Present4
PAS 371Art in the Public Realm: Contemporary Issues4

Fine Arts electives:
Select 24 additional units from the following:
FA 100-299 studio, no "x" classes

Select 40 additional units from the following:
FA 300-499 studio

Total units: 96

General Education Requirements

The university's general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This new program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing and diversity requirements, which are described in detail in the General Education Program section.

Bachelor of Arts, Fine Arts (Studio Arts)

The bachelor of arts is a liberal arts degree that provides the student with a combination of studio art and the choice of a minor field of study such as communication, multimedia, education, business, film or computer animation. The B.A. program offers a more flexible and broad academic education than the bachelor of fine arts degree while still providing a meaningful experience in the studio area that can be an asset in preparing for many art-related careers.

Curriculum Requirements

The bachelor of arts (B.A.) requires a total of 128 units including 64 units of fine arts requirements.

Required CoursesUnits
FA 101aDrawing4
FA 102Design Fundamentals4
FA 106Sculpture I4
FA 150Visual Culture and Literacy4
FA 350Art Theory and Criticism4
FA 450xSenior Seminar4

One course from the following:
AHIS 100-2994

One course from the following:
AHIS 370Modern Art III: 1940 to the Present4
PAS 371Art in the Public Realm: Contemporary Issues4
Fine Arts electives:

Select 16 additional units from the following:
FA 100-299 studio, no "x" classes

Select 16 additional units from the following:
FA 300-499 studio

Total units: 64

General Education Requirements

The university's general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This new program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing, foreign language and diversity requirements, which are described in detail in the General Education Program section.